Sure, at 0-5 this season Monterey comes in as the only winless team. But that hasn't deterred any of the Plainsmen opponents from pegging the two-time defending champ as the team to beat again this fall.

Monterey owns a 13-game district winning streak, including back-to-back 5-0 finishes the last two seasons. Lubbock High, on the other hand, has dropped 12 straight district games.

While the consensus points to the Plainsmen as the favorite, the battle for two other playoff berths seems to be wide-open. No district team has a winning record, and the combined mark of the six teams is 7-22.

Coronado quarterback Bryan Keefner will be a key if the Mustangs hope to make a run at class 5A playoff berth this season.

ROBIN M. CORNETT AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Following is a breakdown of each team and what it needs to do to nab a spot in the Class 5A playoffs this season.

Monterey (0-5)

The primary culprit behind the Plainsmen's worst start since the late 1980s is a pre-district schedule that ranks among the toughest in the state. Monterey's five opponents this season are a combined 23-2, with San Marcos, Abilene and Midland all 5-0.

As tough as that might be with a veteran team, it's been even more of a challenge for a club that had to almost completely rebuild its offense.

Barnard

The Plainsmen have struggled to move the ball and put points on the scoreboard at times, especially in the first half of games. Junior Blake Johnston has settled in as the primary quarterback and should only get better as the district season progresses.

What Monterey lacks is a consistent home run threat on offense, and that likely won't change. But if running backs Matt Meador and Michael Humphrey can continue to get better, the Plainsmen offense should improve. Chase Harvey and Tye Byrd will be counted on as Johnston's main targets in the passing game.

After a rocky start, the Plainsmen defense has gradually gotten better. Senior Lee Ellis has blossomed into one of the top linebackers in West Texas and leads the district with 67 tackles. Tucker Brown is a playmaker as well, with several blocked kicks.

Coronado (1-4)

Like Monterey, the Mustangs' pre-district schedule has been rugged, with losses to unbeaten Midland, Frenship (ranked fifth in Class 4A), and Abilene Cooper (10th in 5A).

Coronado's fortunes will depend on how well its offense can establish consistency against district foes.

Senior quarterback Bryan Keefner has struggled to find time to set up, let alone throw. He has passed for only 255 yards and two touchdowns after threatening school records with 1,192 yards and 12 scoring strikes last season.

That's been a problem that has allowed defenses to focus in on speedy junior tailback Cory Smith, who has still found room to pile up 422 rushing yards and five TDs.

If the Coronado offensive line can provide Keefner with more protection, the Mustangs should increase their productivity.

Linebacker Vincent Briggs (58 tackles) is the leader of the Coronado defense that has been stingy against the run at times. The Mustangs are the only team that has been able to hold Plainview tailback Taber Minner under 200 rushing yards.

Amarillo (1-3)

The Sandies logged their first win of the season Friday against Estacado (30-21), but are still off to the worst start in the 87-year history of the program.

A sluggish offense has been the main problem for Amarillo, which ranks last in the district in rushing at just 126.2 yards a game. A 289-yard night against Estacado  202 of those yards from Matt Tate  might be the spark the Sandies need. Tate will be counted on to carry much of the load as Amarillo tries to settle on a quarterback between Dale Davis and Charlie Hamrick.

The normally sturdy Amarillo defense has also been troublesome. Estacado's 21 points marked the lowest total the Sandies have surrendered in a complete game this season. Midland and Odessa Permian each recorded lopsided victories against Amarillo.

Tascosa (2-3)

The Rebels got off to a promising start with consecutive victories against Dumas (19-7) and Hereford (14-12) to open the season. But losses to Palo Duro, Randall and Clovis (N.M.)  two of those in overtime  have followed.

Tascosa's offense has been up and down, with Ben Handon providing the one constant. Handon leads the district with 114 carries and 527 yards. Quarterback Chris Rogers has thrown for 481 yards and will likely need to assume more of the lead in district play.

Lubbock High (2-3)

As in recent years, the Westerners won't be shy on offense and they appear to be equipped to roll up their biggest numbers since 1999.

Junior Chandler Barnard (district-bests 745 passing yards, 11 passing TDs) is arguably the best quarterback in the district, and he has gained confidence the last two weeks with back-to-back strong outings vs. Levelland and Pecos.

It helps Barnard that he has two of the top skill-position players in the district to work with in running back Michael Moody and receiver D.J. Danford. Moody has recorded consecutive 100-yard games and is up to 359 yards for the season. Danford leads the district with 23 receptions and 421 receiving yards.

As good as that trio has been, though, the Westerners will be hard-pressed to post big numbers in district play unless the offensive line steps its game up a notch.

LHS's pre-district schedule included three Class 4A teams and two 3A teams, none of which presented the size and depth the Westerner o-line will see in district play.

The Westerner defense has been a pleasant surprise so far. LHS has allowed district-lows in total yards (1,139) and points (88) and has shown the ability for big plays with three defensive TDs.

Linebacker Chris Ramirez anchors the Westerner defense with 53 tackles, and Damar Hawkins has returned two interceptions for scores.

San Angelo Central (1-4)

For the fifth straight year, the Bobcats enter district play with two wins or less but with the potential to nab a playoff berth if they play well.

Central is just 15-32 since being placed in the northern district in 1998, but 12 of those have been district wins.

But the Bobcats will have to jump-start their offense to make a serious postseason bid this fall.

Central is averaging only 218.4 yards a game after logging a season-best 354 in a 28-27 loss to Big Spring on Friday.

Quarterback Ryan Gandy is the primary weapon on the Central offense with 350 passing yards.